Camden’s first knife bin set up in Primrose Hill

CAMDEN’S first knife bin has been set up following “a huge increase” in teenage knife crime across the capital.

The bin – where knives can be surrendered safely and securely – has been placed outside St Mary’s Church in Elsworthy Road, Primrose Hill.

The idea is to get weapons off the streets and the bins can also “plant a seed” in the community.

Rev Marjorie Brown, of St Mary’s, said: “These bins are shown to work, and our community has given us the loud and clear message that they want them.” The bin, which costs around £9,000 for three years, has been organised with help from the charity Word 4 Weapons, which runs similar projects across the capital.

Campaigners against youth knife crime say they want more bins set up in Camden crime “hotspots”.

St Mary’s Church also runs a pioneering youth service that aims to curb violence and gang culture and also find meaningful work for young people. It stages gang interventions and tries to stop revenge attacks.

Jason Allen, manager of the youth service, said: “The bin gives people a safe way to dispose of knives they shouldn’t be carrying – every knife surrendered to the bin is potentially a life saved. I’m asking every young person in Camden carrying a knife to do the right thing, and use the bin.”